Design methodology for reconfigurable multi-radio platform for future generation wireless systems

Abstract

Owing to the continuous development of technology, the future generation of wireless communication systems is increasingly becoming more complex to support a spectrum of new and existing services and standards. Consequently, the need for flexible and adaptable radios has become more prominent. Radio signals can be modulated using various methods. Radio modulation recognition refers to a series of processes for acquiring information regarding modulation types of non-cooperative received signals. It plays an important role as a pre-demodulation process required to ensure accuracy, safety, and effectiveness in recovering information. This study proposed a reconfigurable multi-radio platform comprising a reconfigurable antenna and receiver board. The antenna was reconfigurable to facilitate operation in different frequency bands controlled via the receiver board using bias voltages. The receiver board was programmable using custom-built software. Moreover, it can detect the modulation scheme and accurately demodulate signals that are modulated in one of three common modulation schemes: amplitude modulation, frequency modulation, and phase modulation. This solution offers the advantages of reduced size, cost, and power consumption because it uses one hardware system as opposed to the deployment of several individual radios. Moreover, the platform presents an adaptable, cost-effective solution for future-generation wireless networks and a flexible and robust terminal that can operate under changing communication environments.